CALIFORNIA PATRONS December 2013 OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Messaggero

Patrons Celebrate 30th Anniversary In he California Patrons celebrates thirty years of supporting the TVatican Museums this fall. As the first Patrons group to be formed, we are proud of our heritage and how the California Patrons have grown and spawned so many other Patrons groups throughout North America and now around the world. The Museums arranged a wonderful series of commemorative events in Rome from October 16 through October 20, 2013. Patrons with Pope Francis Some 350 Patrons from around the was an intertwined cultural and world attended, including 36 California spiritual pilgrimage. At the welcome Patrons. The Patrons enjoyed amazing reception under the moonlight on the opportunities: attending lectures on Vatican lawn, we became a kindred restoration and wandering a restoration spirit of three hundred and fifty strong, projects fair, visiting the many sections sharing a common interest in preserving of the Museums, enjoying cocktails in art for future generations. Introductions the Vatican Gardens and the Gallery of and acquaintances were made as we the Maps (a California Patrons project), privately toured the Vatican’s Carriage listening to a choir sing in the Sistine Room. We ended the evening exploring California Patrons in the Hall of Statues Chapel, exploring the excavations of the the Vatican’s newest exhibit Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, celebrating the non-Christian faith and personally meeting Pope Francis. of the Aborigines. The glorious What a spectacular few days! and beautiful photography and Patron Mary Ann Smith shares antique ceremonial costumes the following personal reflections on captured their essence and spirit. her experience on the trip with her The second day was devoted husband Mike: The 30th Anniversary to learning about the history of The Patrons Roman staff Celebration of the Patron of the Arts continued on page 7 SAVE THE DATE January 14, 2014 • Getty Museum, Brentwood

On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, we will enjoy the California Patrons first event of the new year: a complimentary docent-led tour for members of the exhibition “Canterbury and St. Albans: Treasures from Church and Cloister,” which focuses on two rare masterpieces of English medieval art: stained glass from Canterbury Cathedral and pages from the St. Albans Psalter, an illuminated book of psalms. Invitations will be sent out to current members next month so please renew your membership promptly when the notice arrives. 2 • December 2013 CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Pope Francis Addresses The Patrons

t the celebrations of the 30th Anniversary of the Patrons in Rome this fall, Pope Francis held a private audience for the 350 Patrons in attendance on October 19, 2013. Prior to meeting A each and every Patron personally, His Holiness delivered the following address: Dear Friends, I am pleased to greet the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums on the occasion of this pilgrimage to Rome marking your thirtieth anniversary of foundation. Over the past three decades the Patrons have made an outstanding contribution to the restoration of numerous treasures of art preserved in the Vatican collections and to the broader religious, artistic and cultural mission of the Museums. For this I thank you most heartily. The establishment of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums was inspired not only by a praiseworthy sense of stewardship for the Church’s heritage of sacred art, but also by the desire to advance the spiritual and religious ideals which led to the foundation of the papal collections. In every age the Church has called upon the arts to give expression to the beauty of her faith and to proclaim the Gospel message of the grandeur of God’s creation, 7-Year old Patron Gerard the dignity of human beings made in his image and likeness, and the power of Christ’s Blake snapped a close up of Pope Francis death and resurrection to bring redemption and rebirth to a world touched by the tragedy of sin and death. The Vatican Museums, with their unique and rich history, make it possible for countless pilgrims and visitors to Rome to encounter this message through works of art which bear witness to the spiritual aspirations of humanity, the sublime mysteries of the Christian faith, and the quest of that supreme beauty which has its source and fulfillment in God. Dear friends, may your patronage of the arts in the Vatican Museums always be a sign of your interior participation in the spiritual life and mission of the Church. May it also be an expression of our hope in the coming of that Kingdom whose beauty, harmony and peace are the expectation of every human heart and the inspiration of mankind’s highest artistic aspirations. To you, your families and associates, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of enduring joy and peace in the Lord.

Pope Francis greets Pope Francis Fr. Mark Haydu

The Blake Family greets Pope Francis Pope Francis addresses the Patrons

CALIFORNIA PATRONS Michael Scott Feeley, Chairman • [email protected] • 213-891-7895 Monica M. Lomenzo, Coordinator • [email protected] OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS California Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums 301 N. Lake Ave., Suite 900, Pasadena, CA 91101 CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS December 2013 • 3 Blaeuw Terrestrial Globe Restored he California Patrons have can now be seen on its sponsored the restoration of a continents. In fact the Tmagnificent Terrestrial Globe label “California” has created by Dutch cartographer and emerged! Many details engraver, W. J. Blaeuw (1571 to are finally visible in the 1638). Blaeuw founded a dynasty of area of the sea, thanks cartographers who dominated the to a cleaning which European scene for no less than fifty removed the thick layer years, delivering at a high level, both of Prussian blue color qualitatively and numerically, the and dammar resin. These production of maps and globes. As both harmful materials had a pupil and friend of mathematician been used in several and astronomer Tyco Brahe, Blaeuw previous “restorations” had a profound knowledge of the earth; he was responsible for measuring the degree of the Museum Director Antonio Paolucci earth’s surface, a key element examines Globe with Curator Chiara in the art of navigation. Thanks Fornaciari to his skill and professionalism, Blaeuw was nominated as the official cartographer of the East India Company, receiving the task of providing departing ships with all necessary tools, including terrestrial and celestial globes. His production of globes became so famous and sought after that special editions, made in larger sizes and characterized by luxury finishes such as hand-coloring of the continents’ interiors and features made in gold leaf, were commissioned for kings, princes, and emperors. The Terrestrial Globe performed during the late nineteenth completed by the Scientific Restoration in the Vatican collection was made for and early twentieth century. Laboratory so that restorers could Maurizio di Nassau, captain general The paper surface of the Globe identify the exact parameters of the of the Dutch army, and its dedication was badly damaged: some areas laser before attempting a removal of the appears in its text and is represented had been torn, and other portions blue pigment on the Globe itself. The by a colorful coat of arms. This Globe, were completely eroded by insects. cleaning was carried out and completed paired with Blaeuw’s Celestial Globe Unfortunately, the main problem with with the use of a light solvent. (which the California Patrons are also this Globe—which also has been Upon the completion of this long restoring), is part of a small but precious the reason for its lengthy restoration cleaning process, areas of the paper body of globes from the Vatican timeline—was that the original were replaced where necessary. The Apostolic Library that were brought to blue pigment and paint had been missing parts were replenished with the Museum in 1999. absorbed into the original paper, and, Japanese paper of the same thickness The Globe is very old and its furthermore, the quantity of remaining as the original and then painted in materials are extremely fragile. Before color (i.e., its level of absorption) varied order to achieve a homogeneous tone this restoration, the Globe appeared to throughout the Globe, depending on throughout the Globe. Once the entire be in a very poor state of conservation. the state of conservation of the paper paper surface was cleaned and restored, Under the expert hand of Dr. Chiara itself. Because of this issue, cleaning the a thin layer of protective varnish Fornaciari of the Vatican’s Paper paper with a laser—an absolute novelty was applied all over the object. This Restoration Lab, a thorough cleaning in the field of paper restoration—was wonderful, restored Globe has been and restoration revived the amazing selected as the best technique. However, relocated to the Gallery of the Ancient artistic value of this unique piece. this method was only chosen after a Library and is now protected in a Representations of figures and animals long and complex series of tests were transparent display case. 4 • December 2013 CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Meet Madeline “Maddie” Amos, Our California Patrons Intern in Rome he California Patrons University Library, our new Twitter account (@Vatican_ fund a one year respectively. Having the Patrons) and our new Instagram Tinternship at the opportunity to live in account (“VaticanPatrons”). Patrons office in Rome Rome also feels like it Much of my time here thus far has beginning in the fall. We was meant to be. While I consisted of writing and editorial are delighted that the am still learning my way work. Assisting Romina Cometti 2013-2014 California around certain areas, I with WISHBOOK 2014 has proven Intern is Madeline Amos, feel surprisingly familiar to be the largest endeavour of this the daughter of Patrons with the city after having type; the editing process was very Dr. Edwin and Christine Maddie Amos studied its architecture and rigorous and required many read- Amos. Maddie sends the layout so extensively. My throughs, adjustments, translations, and following introduction: Art History thesis focused additions to make it just right. I was Walking through St. Peters Square on Roman urbanism, specifically on also able to practice my editorial skills every morning, breezing through monumental staircases of Baroque on Fr. Mark’s wonderful new book, the Gendarmerie guarding the Porta Rome— a period which is largely Meditations on Vatican Art, working in Sant’Anna, climbing the beautiful responsible for many of the basilicas of close communication with his editors at back marble staircases of the Apostolic the city as well as the shaping of the city Liguori Press. Palace, having a Swiss Guard unlock a itself as we know it today. Preparations for the 30th Anniversary grand iron door of the Prima Loggia— So far, I’ve been able to work in kept everyone in the office (especially my daily routine—still feels like a some facet in three major projects/ our superwoman, Sara Savoldello) dream. areas—our online development, our very busy during September and early Much of this is surely due to annual publication, and our special October. I worked closely with our the fact that I hail from the wildly 30th Anniversary Celebration. For the Italian intern, Chiara Lorenzetti, on different setting of Pacific Palisades, launch of our new website I initially a series of Powerpoint presentations California, which, although beautiful assisted Carolina Rea in populating the which each restoration laboratory and undoubtedly one of my favorite website and I have also written and presented to the Patrons during a places on earth, lacks the history and will continue to write content for the “Restoration Fair” hosted by our office. architectural wonder of Rome and website. Additionally, I launched two Another task involved translating and/ Vatican City. I owe my interest in Art new social media outlets for the Office, or editing biographies of event speakers History to a wonderful AP class I took and our office staff. After completing in my senior year when attending that, I was even able to translate Marymount High School. which and edit a few of the lectures given continued and developed into my focus at the 30th Anniversary, which was of study at Northwestern University, exciting work and a valuable learning where I graduated from just last June experience. So far, translating texts from (2013) with a Bachelor of Arts in Italian to English has been one of my both Art History and Art Theory and favorite duties, as it lets me practice Practice. and improve my Italian and enables Though this internship truly feels like me to learn more about restoration, the a dream, I have never felt so prepared Museums’ collections, and the exciting for a job opportunity in my life. Apart work made possible by the Patrons. from my studies at Northwestern, Your generous support truly fosters my extra curriculars focused largely incredible things here at the Vatican on publication and the arts: I spent Museums, and I am so grateful to be all four years of college as editor and experiencing it firsthand by working in eventually became President of the the Patrons’ Office for the year. Thank Northwestern Art Review. I’ve held you all for your support—being the internships in both Decorative Arts “California Intern” is both an honor and and Sculpture restoration and Book a dream come true! and Paper conservation, at the J. Paul Interns Chiara Lorenzetti, Giselle Betino- — Maddie Amos Getty Museum and the Northwestern Clarke and Maddie Amos CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS December 2013 • 5 Patrons Restore Pukamani Funerary Poles ue to a restorantion grant by the manner as the poles. At the end of pigments, it is possible to see that the California Patrons and Patron the ceremony, these baskets are used colored dots are still in relief. After a DJeffrey Littell, ten carved and to cover the apex of the poles and are complete disinfection of the poles with painted Pukumani wooden poles, from usually left to decay naturally by the an anoxic solution, the restorers took the island of Melville within the Tiwi sea. samples to determine the nature of the Islands in the Northern Territory of The drawings on the poles correspond pigments used. The fragility of most of Australia, are now on prominent display with the clan of the deceased. Each the pigments used, along with that of in a new section of the Missionary pole is unique: their individual shapes, most lower parts of the poles, inhibited Ethnological Museum. The Natives of decorations, and overall appearances a complete dusting of their surfaces. the Tiwi Islands donated the sacred are designed differently, and their Only the most stable pigments could objects through the Missionaries of the forms take on figures of women, men, be dusted, using soft brushes and a Sacred Heart to the Vatican Museums. and animals. The decorations are micro vacuum cleaner fitted with micro The Missionaries used the significance of the wooden poles in the indigenous culture as a means of introducing Christian teachings on the cross and resurrection. These Pukumani poles are part of a series of objects used in funerary ceremonies and are among the best preserved in the world. Each pole has its own individual and design, with recurring motifs such as carved bird heads, dotted decorations, and structural openings like windows. Each pole is made to be given to the deceased during commemoration geometrical, and the circular and tablet nozzles and with the an application of ceremonies. In fact, the funerary shapes refer to stylized zoomorphic filter. Other areas were cleaned with a ceremony itself involves the making figures from the world of dreaming sponge and a rubber pad. of a Pukumani pole. The family of the and dreamtime. The materials used For more than ten years, the activities deceased delegates specific individuals for these decorations come from the of the Mixed-Material Laboratory the tasks of cutting, preparing, carving, land of origin. Some decorations were (“Laboratorio Polimaterico”), assisted painting, and placing the pole in the colored with juice from orchid flowers by the Diagnostic Laboratory for burial grounds. Each pole is fashioned and additional water, which allowed the Conservation and Restoration directed from a single carved tree trunk. The pigment to stick to its wooden support. by Professor Ulderico Santamaria, lower part of the trunk, which serves as The use of animal glue is more recent. have been devoted to the study of the support (and was inserted into the The Pukumani poles were usually made the properties of natural materials sand at funerals), is not decorated and from Eucalyptus trees because they often present and co-present in the has a diameter narrower than the pole provide a softer type of wood that is Ethnographic collections, experimenting itself. easier to carve. with new techniques of intervention The poles vary in shape. For example, The initial conservation status of these that utilize materials most suitable some resemble the head of a bird, poles was mediocre. The main problem for restoration compatible with the symbolizing the spiritual world. For was the de-lamination of the pigments, environment. The Pukamani Pole the funeral ceremony, baskets used since the natural glue used was project has resulted in new discoveries for storing food are made from beaten probably partly absorbed by the wood in conservation techniques and the bark painted with natural pigments. and resulted in a decreased adhesive restored objects are a centerpiece of the The baskets are decorated in the same power. Despite the separation of their Vatican Ethnological Museum. 6 • December 2013 CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Opening Night At The Bowers: Gods & Gifts ome 50 California Patrons toasted the opening of the exhibition S“Gods & Gifts” on September 27 at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. Patron Peter Keller, the president of the Bowers, provided a warm welcome—along with wine and hors d’oeuvres and musicians. Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange gave a beautiful invocation and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez offered her congratulations for assembling such an exhibition. Fr. Nicola Mapelli, the director of Opening Night for the Vatican Ethnological Museum, the Exhibition reminded us of the remarks of Pope Benedict XVI that beauty leads us to the divine. Made possible by funding from the California Patrons, the 65 sets of objects on view is the largest trove to ever leave the Vatican Ethnological Collection. Indigenous peoples from across the globe created most of the pieces. The The Chaix Family with Fr. Mapelli collection, begun in 1692 by Cardinal Stefano Borgia, illuminates diverse Helen and Bill Close with religious beliefs and practices Janet and Michael Feeley through works of art and includes gifts presented to the Pope from heads of state and spiritual leaders as well as pieces collected by missionaries. The Vatican Ethnological Collection, comprised of over 80,000 pieces, illustrates the many expressions of humanity’s spiritual journey and the Church’s Patrons Kristan O’Donnell, Wendi and Gunnar respect for different cultures. Gunderson, James and Audrey Low The Bowers Museums’s mission “to celebrate world cultures through art” fits well with the Vatican Ethnological Fr. Mapelli describes a Museum’s emphasis on pieces from Asia, piece to Congresswoman Oceana, Africa, and the Americas. We Loretta Sanchez look forward to future collaborations between the Vatican Museums and the Bowers President and Patron Peter Keller, Bowers. And more lovely opening night Fr. Mapelli, Bishop Kevin festivities! “Gods & Gifts” is on display Vann, Msgr. Lawrence until February 9, 2014. Baird, Bowers Chair Anne Shih, and Danny Shih CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS December 2013 • 7 2014 WISHBOOK Available On Line! he Vatican Museums has issued the 2014 WISHBOOK. This catalogue sets forth many diverse opportunities that the curators of the various collections Thave deemed their priority projects for the coming year. The WISHBOOK is on-line at: http://www.vatican-patrons.org. Please visit the site to view the many interesting objects and items that are in need of sponsorship. Please contact Michael Feeley if you have any questions regarding a sponsorship: 213-891-7895 or [email protected]

Patrons Celebrate from page 1 restoration, in addition to enjoying a line, Pope Francis made the decision to unique Restoration Fair. It was very greet each one of us individually. The special to be able to interact with the Pope, a living example of the Gospel, Vatican restorers and see the benefits deeply touched us as he showed us of their delicate handiwork to preserve we all mattered. That evening Vespers and strengthen sculptures, jewelry and in the Sistine Chapel with the men’s headdresses, paintings and textiles. As choir was magical. Afterwards, Dr. we marveled at the restorers’ artisan Elizabeth Lev seemed to channel the Patron Ursula Hyman lectors in gifts, we continued to realize the voice of Michelangelo as she brought St. Peter’s Basilica importance of supporting the Vatican the Last Judgment alive to preserve faith-filled art for the through her love of millions of people who visit each year. art history and her gift That evening we enjoyed Mass, led by of storytelling. “There Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest are no women in hell,” of the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the she exclaimed. We all Walls. laughed. A beautiful Each day the important mission of cocktail reception the Patrons was revealed. On the third followed in the Gallery day we heard from top Vatican officials of Maps followed by in the Hall of Blessings. We are the a gourmet dinner in ones who felt blessed as Greg Burke, the Hall of the Roman the Vatican’s Senior Communications Sculptures. Again, art Advisor, described the Holy Father in and faith continued Patrons gather for vespers and 10 words. Afterwards, we visited the to bring us together on a deeper level lecture in the Sistine Chapel recently restored Pauline Chapel, the and the need to support the Vatican Holy Father’s personal place of worship. Museums was evident. The whole day felt like a miracle. Our last day, in St. Peter’s Basilica, We dined among the great works of the President of the Vatican, Cardinal Caravaggio, Raphael and DaVinci in the Giuseppe Bertello, presided over Pinacoteca Gallery, the rooms of great a farewell Mass. It was magnificent. painted masterpieces. Again, the stories And finally, overlooking the city and of the Gospel came alive through art, above the fray, we enjoyed our final and our souls rejoiced in the beauty meal together at the private Villa Miani of its teachings and the sharing of our where we continued to give our thanks personal stories. and appreciation to the extraordinary The highlight of the experience came endeavors of the Patrons. We are on Saturday: the audience with His looking forward to the next pilgrimage Holiness, Pope Francis. Although only and celebration. — Mary Ann Smith a few were scheduled for the receiving Patrons Mike and Mary Ann Smith CALIFORNIA PATRONS NON PROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE PAID OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS GLENDALE, CA PERMIT NO. 383 301 N. Lake Ave., Suite 900 Pasadena, CA 91101

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